Launched in October 2025, this five-year EU-funded project brings together farmers, scientists, and communities to regenerate soils and promote sustainable agriculture.
Using innovative grazing practices adapted to each region, GroundWork restores degraded soils, reduces pollution, and combats climate change. With pilot farms in five Living Labs (LLs) across Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, and Serbia, the project demonstrates that nature-friendly agriculture can be productive, resilient, and deliver healthy food for a greener future.
👉 Curious to learn more about our Living Labs? Jump directly to the LLs section to explore how each region is putting regenerative practices into action.
The general objective of GroundWork is to catalyse the transformation of the European livestock and agricultural sector towards improved soil health, enhanced ecosystem resilience, and regenerative food production. By harnessing the potential of adaptive livestock management across diverse EU regions, the project engages a wide range of stakeholders in a participatory research and innovation approach, co-designing and implementing Regenerative Livestock Grazing Practices (RLGPs) tailored to local farming realities.
The website will be soon available in the multiple Living Labs languages.
During the two-day Kick-Off Meeting on 22–23 October, CYRIC, the GroundWork Project Coordinator, brought together all 23 partners from 13 countries.
Held in Nicosia, Cyprus, the meeting was an excellent opportunity to introduce partners, outline their roles, review the first deliverables, tour the CYRIC offices, and participate in a gender equality workshop with a dedicated coach. It was also a chance to meet the SOILL Cluster Coordinator and two affiliated projects.
At GroundWork, we are proud to contribute directly to 4 of the 8 EU Mission Soil objectives, supporting Europe’s transition toward healthier and more resilient soils by 2030.
Our work focuses on: 1️⃣ Conserving soil organic carbon stocks 2️⃣ Preventing soil erosion 3️⃣ Improving soil structure to enhance biodiversity 4️⃣ Increasing soil literacy across society
As part of this commitment, the Belgian and Portuguese Living Labs, together with CYRIC, participated in the SOIL Annual Community Engagement Conference, “Shaping the Future of Soil Health Living Labs and Lighthouses in Europe”, held on 3 December 2025.
The event brought together stakeholders from across Europe to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration, and accelerate the development of impactful Soil Health Living Labs and Lighthouses.
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Our German and Serbian Living Labs successful Kick-Off
The Serbian Living Lab held its first Co-Creation Workshop on 26 March in Gospodjinci, organized by BioSense Institute and ZZG, where stakeholders collaboratively shaped governance, operational protocols, and early business model components.
Meanwhile, the German Living Lab officially launched on 12 November 2025, in Weitnau with 130 participants from agriculture, science, government, and civil society, celebrating five years of research on soil regeneration through adaptive grazing, coordinated by AERA Land gGmbH. The full article highlights the German Living Lab kickoff, showcasing regional interest and commitment to regenerative agriculture approaches.
After our Kick-Off Meeting in Cyprus, we have published our first Press Release, marking the start of a five-year effort to transform European livestock farming through regenerative practices.
“GroundWork is about uniting science, practice, and policy to regenerate our soils and ensure the resilience of European agriculture. By working directly with farmers and local communities, we aim to turn research into action and deliver tangible benefits for people, animals, and the planet.”
- Maria Anastasi, CyRIC, GroundWork coordination team
REVOLVE article highlights livestock’s role in sustainable farming, from supporting biodiversity to soil health. It discusses challenges like soil degradation and features initiatives such as GroundWork project.
The piece calls for a balanced approach combining livestock and innovative practices for resilient food systems.
In this interview, Maria Anastasi from CYRIC introduces the GroundWork project, its main goal, how it aligns with the EU Mission Soil, and the impact the team hopes to achieve.
Maria Anastasi, from CYRIC, will present GroundWork during the Energy and Sustainability discussion. This session will provide an opportunity to highlight GroundWork’s ongoing initiatives while sharing perspectives on future developments and challenges in the energy and sustainability landscape.
Maria-Andrea R. AnastasifromCyRIC explored groundbreaking projects like SOB4ES, EDAPHOS, and urban soil initiatives from Denmark, the Netherlands, and France – discovering lessons that directly inspire GroundWork’s regenerative soil mission.
The Resilience of Pastures: From Science to Practice
5 November 2025
Diogo Pinho from Monte Silveria Farm, our Portugese Living Lab, presented GroundWork in Lisbon for the Resilient Pasture and Sustainable Grazing.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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